rock crystal

noun

1. transparent quartz, especially when colorless.

rock crystal

noun

1. a pure transparent colourless quartz, used in electronic and optical equipment. Formula: SiO 2

Word History and Origins

Origin of rock crystal¹

First recorded in 1660–70

Example Sentences

As winds whip around the planet, carrying along the quartz nanoparticles, they form high-altitude hazes — essentially diffuse clouds of rock crystals — at the day–night termination zone.

From Scientific American

She was buried with ivory tusks, ostrich eggshell, and a rock crystal dagger.

From BBC

It held a rock crystal dagger, ivory tusks and other lavish items.

From Seattle Times

Among the finds have been a Swiss leather shoe over 3,500 years old and a 10,000-year-old Alpine glacier mine where hunters once extracted rock crystals to make arrowheads and other kinds of blades.

From Washington Post

With gilded skin and rock crystal eyes it would have glinted and glowed with life in candlelight on a home altar.

From New York Times